Interference eliminating wall member for bowling alleys



Aug. 8, 1967 A. SHAW 3,334,906

INTERFERENCE ELIMINATING WALL MEMBER FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed July 15, 1964 United States Patent 3,334,900 INTERFERENCE ELIMINATING WALL MEMBER FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Al Shaw, 2501 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park, Ill. 60642 Filed July 15, 1964, Ser. No. 382,860 6 Claims. (Cl. 273-54 The invention relates to a dividing structure for use in multi-lane bowling alley installations.

Multi-lane bowling alley installations utilize a plurality of alleys, often a considerable number thereof, which are arranged side by side, the only separation between the approach lanes of adjacent alleys being the ball return structures which are usually disposed between adjacent pairs of alleys, whereby each ball return serves an alley on each side thereof. In bowling, particularly in league play, it is one of the rules of courtesy to wait until a bowler on an adjacent lane has bowled rather than simultaneously bowl on two adjacent alleys, but as the approach lanes of the alleys are all open with no obstructions therebetween other than the ball return structures, some bowlers will not bowl if a person is bowling on a second lane from their alley, resulting in unnecessary slow-downs in the overall bowling. Also, the reverse is true, a bowler will start to bowl on his alley and have a discourteous person simultaneously start to bowl on an adjacent alley, thereby causing aggravation to the first bowler and possibly through distraction spoiling his shot.

The present invention has among its objects the production of means for substantially eliminating these problems, whereby the bowler is afforded a sufiicient degree of privacy that he may concentrate on his bowling, and speed up the overall bowling operation by eliminating unnecessary waiting between bowlers on adjacent alleys.

Another object of the invention is the production of a structure which is exceedingly simple in construction and may be readily designed for use with substantially any type of ball return structure.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a structure which may be readily adapted for use on existing alleys with no material change therein.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a wall structure embodying the invention with a ball return structure indicated in broken lines;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the rear end of the structure;

FIG. 3 is a similar elevational view of the front end of the structure which is disposed adjacent the foul line;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 55 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of FIG. 1.

The present invention contemplates the production of a wall structure which is adapted to be disposed between the approach lanes of adjacent alleys to permit simultaneously bowling thereon without interference between the bowlers, the wall structure preferably being so designed that it is of minimum height consistent with the desired functions and preferably is of a lesser height adjacent the foul line than adjacent the rear end of the approach lanes, whereby the structure presents a minimum in the wayof obstruction and at the same time serves the desired purpose. The construction is such that it may be readily employed in conjunction with a ball return structure, the wall structure providing adequate access to balls on the ball return structure.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 3, the reference numeral 1 indicates generally 3,334,900 Patented Aug. 8, 1967 a wall structure comprising a wall or panel member 2 of relatively thin material, as for example, plywood, Masonite or the like, the member 2 being adapted to be supported by leg structures at opposite ends of the wall member, respectively indicated generally by the numerals 3 and 4, and extending between the leg structures at each side of the wall member 2 is a horizontally extending reinforcing member 5, the particular embodiment illustrated also employing a similar horizontally extending reinforcing member 6 and a plurality of trim members 7 which are disposed along the peripheral edges of the wall member at opposite sides thereof, and in the particular embodiment of the invention also extend vertically to divide the latter into three sections.

The standard length of approach lanes of bowling alleys is sixteen feet and I have found that a length of fifteen feet for the wall structure is suitable, the three sections in the embodiment illustrated having, for example, respective heights of six feet, five feet and four feet, the section of the wall adjacent the foul line having the least height, the section of the opposite end adjacent the rear or start of the approach lanes having the greatest height and the center section having an intermediate height, the corners preferably being rounded as illustrated to present an attractive appearance.

Assuming that the structure is intended for use over a ball return structure, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the section at the foul line extends to adjacent the alley surface although spaced a relatively short distance thereabove, while the other two sections which would be disposed above the ball return structure are spaced above the alley and the ball return structure a sufiicient distance to provide adequate access to balls on the ball return structure and, in the construction illustrated, the reinforcing bar 5 defines the lower edge of the sections thereabove, it being assumed that the ball return structure is of the straight type illustrated. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the leg structures 3 and 4 are constructed from bar stock of suitable width and thickness. The leg structures are generally of the same construction, varying primarily only in proportions, each comprising a base portion 8 having upwardly extending legs 9 at each end thereof and provided at their upper ends with converging portions 11 which terminate in vertically extending spaced side members 12, the elements of the leg structure 4 being distinguished from those of the leg structure 3 by means of the primed reference numerals.

As more clearly illustrated in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, the wall member 2 is disposed between the upwardly extending portions 12 or 12' and secured thereto by securing means, as for example, bolts 13 and nuts 14. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the members 12 or 12' are formed to receive the reinforcing members 5 disposed at opposite sides of the wall member, the members 12 and 12 being cut away to permit disposition of the members 5 in the plane of the corresponding members 12 or 12', with the ends of the latter abutting the members 5 being joined by overlapping sections 15 or 15', secured by welding or other suitable means to the members 12 to form a rigid structure. The end portions of the members 5 may be secured to the leg structures by any suitable means, as for example, bolts 16 passing through the members 15 or 15', the members 5 and the wall member 2 and secured by cooperable nuts 17. The reinforcing member 6, which likewise may be of metal stock, may be secured by similar bolts and nuts and other suitable means to opposite sides of the wall member, while the strips 7 which merely form an ornamental trim may be of wood or other suitable material and as illustrated in FIG. 6 may be secured to the panel 2 by wood screws 18 or other suitable means.

In use, the structure permits bowlers on adjacent alleys to bowl without interference from each other, and where the structure is designed for disposition over a ball return structure, the wall members would be correspondingly proportioned and the leg structures suitably designed to accommodate the ball return. If it is desired to utilize the structure between alleys without a ball return therebetween, the sections may be uniformly constructed at their lower portions to conform to the front section adjacent the foul line, whereby all sections will be uniformly spaced above the alley surface. Where a ball return is utilized, the lower edge of the front section preferably is spaced at sufiicient distance above the alley surface to permit access to any ball return channels disposed beneath the alley surface if such channels are accessible below the front section of the wall structure.

It will be apparent that in operation, the higher section adjacent the rear of the approach lanes is adequate to prevent any interference from two bowlers standing erect on the adjacent alleys and as a bowler will normally bend over during his delivery, the lower intermediate and front sections provide adequate height to prevent any undesired interference between such bowlers.

While I have illustrated the wall member 2 as being of a particular configuration, especially with respect to the upper peripheral edges thereof and provided .with rounded corner portions, it is believed apparent that the structure offers a wide variety of design possibilities with respect to configuration and ornamentation to provide an attractive structure that does not detract from its surroundings.

Likewise, while I have illustrated the invention in the drawings in connection with a ball return structure of the straight type, the invention is applicable to any type, of ball return structure, either of the older types wherein the ball return extends the entire length of the approach lanes, in which case the section adjacent the foul line would be disposed with its lower edge at approximately the same height as the corresponding edges of the other sections or in the new circular or T-shaped types, wherein the wall member would be appropriately proportioned.

Changes may be made within the scope and spirit of the appended claims which define what is believed to be new and desired to have protected by Letters Patent.

I claim:

1. A structure for the division of lanes on multi-lane bowling alleys to eliminate interference in play between bowlers on adjacent alleys and to thereby speed up play, comprising a wall member constructed for disposition between the approach lanes of a pair of adjacent alleys divided by a ball return structure, and of a length to extend from adjacent the alley foul line to adjacent the starting end of the approach lanes thereof, said member having ,a relatively high minimum height at said starting end thereof whereby bowlers at opposite sides thereof will not interfere with one another when preparing to bowl, and having a lower minimum height at the opposite end thereof adjacent such a foul line whereby such bowlers will not interfere with one another when delivering balls adjacent such foul line, said wall member being constructed adjacent its foul line end to extend relatively closely to the alley surface at a sufficient height thereabove to permit cleaning thereunder and access to any ball return channel disposed therebelow, and at its starting end being constructed to be spaced a greater distance from the alley surface to enable disposition thereof above, and provide access to such a ball return structure disposed therebelow, and supporting means at the opposite ends of said wall member constructed to rigidly support the latter in a vertical plane.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises respective leg structures which are constructed to receive the wall member therebetween, means for securing the leg structure and wall member in rigid relation, said leg structures having laterally spaced leg members terminating at their lower ends in attaching means for rigidly securing the leg members to the alley structure.

3. A structure as defined in claim 2, comprising a longitudinally extending reinforcing member rigidly secured at its ends to the respective leg structures, and intermediate its ends to the wall member.

I 4, A structure as defined in claim 3, comprising striplrke members disposed at opposite sides of said wall member, extending along the peripheral edges of the latter to form edge portions of greater thickness than that of the wall member.

5. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises respective leg structures which are constructed to receive the wall member therebetween, means for securing the leg structure and wall member in rigid relation, said leg structures having laterally spaced leg members terminating at their lower ends in attaching means for rigidly securing the leg members to the alley structure, the leg members at the rear end of said wall member being constructed to straddle such a ball return structure.

6. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said wall member is longitudinally divided into a plurality of sectrons, the section adjacent the foul line having the least height from the alley surface, the section adjacent the opposite end having the greatest height, and an intermediate section therebetween having an intermediate height.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 501,262 7/1893 Walker. 1,852,948 4/1932 Warren et al 273--176 3,017,969 1/1962 Nielsen 351 X 3,180,459 4/1965 Diskey 52239 X 3,194,361 7/1965 Thurman 52239 X 3,228,157 1/1966 Jacobson 52239 ANTON O. OEOHSLE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A STRUCTURE FOR THE DIVISION OF LANES ON MULTI-LANE BOWLING ALLEYS TO ELIMINATE INTERFERENCE IN PLAY BETWEEN BOWLERS ON ADJACENT ALLEYS AND TO THEREBY SPEED UP PLAY, COMPRISING A WALL MEMBER CONSTRUCTED FOR DISPOSITION BETWEEN THE APPROACH LANES OF A PAIR OF ADJACENT ALLEYS DIVIDED BY A BALL RETURN STRUCTURE, AND OF A LENGTH TO EXTEND FROM ADJACENT THE ALLEY FOUL LINE TO ADJACENT THE STARTING END OF THE APPROACH LANES THEREOF, SAID MEMBER HAVING A RELATIVELY HIGH MINIMUM HEIGTH AT SAID STARTING END THEREOF WHEREBY BOWLERS AT OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH ONE ANOTHER WHEN PREPARING TO BOWL, AND HAVING A LOWER MINIMUM HEIGHT AT THE OPPOSITE END THEREOF ADJACENT SUCH A FOUL LINE WHEREBY SUCH BOWLERS WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH ONE ANOTHER WHEN DELIVERING BALLS ADJACENT SUCH FOULD LINE, SAID WALL MEMBER BEING CONSTRUCTED ADJACENT ITS FOUL LINE END TO EXTEND RELATIVELY CLOSELY TO THE ALLEY SURFACE AT A SUFFICIENT HEIGHT THEREABOVE TO PERMIT CLEANING THEREUNDER AND ACCESS TO ANY BALL RETURN CHANNEL DISPOSED THEREBELOW, AND AT ITS STARTING END BEING CONSTRUCTED TO BE SPACED A GREATER DISTANCE FROM THE ALLEY SURFACE TO ENABLE DISPOSITION THEREOF ABOVE, AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO SUCH A BALL RETURN STRUCTURE DISPOSED THEREBELOW, AND SUPPORTING MEANS AT THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID WALL MEMBER CONSTRUCTED TO RIGIDLY SUPPORT THE LATTER IN A VERTICAL PLANE. 